Potential Merger of Huron and Perth Health Units Takes Next Step

Source: Huron CountyDate: Wed Dec 13 13:27:54 MST 2017

Perth and Huron Counties ̶ Yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced proposed regulatory changes to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, which pave the way for a merger of the Perth District Health Unit and the Huron County Health Unit. The changes need to happen before next steps in planning an amalgamation can move forward.

ďThese proposed regulatory changes show that there is support at the provincial level for a Huron and Perth health unit merger,Ē explains Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for the Perth District Health Unit and Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Huron County Health Unit. The regulation must be passed in order to approve any funding for the merger.

The Huron and Perth Amalgamation Steering Group and Boards of Health will be providing the government with additional details to put in the regulation, for example the name of the new health unit and composition of the new Board.

ďIf the proposed regulatory changes pass cabinet approval in January, then we expect that the next step would be for the Ministry to approve funding for a merger,Ē says Dr. Klassen. ďIf the funding is approved, then the merger would proceed.Ē In 2017, the health units commissioned the Lough Barnes Amalgamation Feasibility and Planning Report, which would be used to guide the merger transition.

A summary of the proposed amendments can be found here: http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/showAttachment.do?postingId=25946&attachmentId=36128

The regulation changes are posted for public comment until January 4, 2018, prior to Cabinet approval.